Miami Marlins out on slugger Mark Trumbo

The Miami Marlins are not among the teams pursuing a trade for Los Angeles… (Patrick T. Fallon / Los Angeles…)

December 10, 2013|By Juan C. Rodriguez, Sun Sentinel

Lake Buena Vista, Fla. — Mark Trumbo trade talks seem to be warming, but the Marlins are doing nothing to stoke those flames.

A source that checked in with the Marlins said they are not pursing Trumbo, an arbitration-eligible corner infielder/ outfielder coming off a career-high 34-homer, 100-RBI season with the Angels. The right-handed hitting Trumbo, who turns 28 in January, would provide a much needed power component to complement Giancarlo Stanton, but he does have some flaws.

Trumbo over the last two seasons has made just nine appearances (eight starts) at third base and committed four errors in just 65 innings. He doesn’t have a natural defensive position.

Offensively, Trumbo can boast back-to-back seasons of at least 30 homers and 95 RBI. His .294 career on-base percentage, including a .299 mark in 2013, is alarming. Like most power hitters, Trumbo swings and misses plenty. Over the last two seasons he’s struck out 337 times, sixth among players with at least 1,250 plate appearances in 2012-13.

Reports are Trumbo could be headed to the Diamondbacks as part of a three-way deal with the White Sox.

Much of the Marlins’ time at the Baseball Winter Meetings has been spent sorting through the Logan Morrison market. A source said seven teams have expressed legitimate interest in the left-handed hitting first baseman.

Among those rumored to have contacted the Marlins: the Brewers, Orioles, Blue Jays and Pirates. The Rays and Red Sox also have come up.

As to why the Marlins are looking to move Morrison now that he’s healthy, it seems they’re making a push to complement a young core of starting position players with strong character veterans. While having guys like Wes Helms or Greg Dobbs on the roster is valuable, they can only lead so much from the bench.

Moving Morrison also allows the Marlins to acquire another bat while keeping more, if not all, of their pitching depth.

“As quickly as it’s a surplus, it can be all gone,” President of Baseball Operations Michael Hill said.